The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-06-02
THE MUSEUM MOVEMENT
IN COURT SQUARE CHECKED In
A SPIRIT OF DISGUISE.
Public Sentiment Overeomes the
Keeper, and the CuriOslties
are Scattered.

There is hope for Sergeant Rogers,
OF Court Square. For weeks and
months he has been lsboring faith
fully collecting material for a Junk
shop around the square fountain.
Whenever he found rough and ugly
looking stone II soon formed part OF
his museum. Ten cents a hundred
chromoe, in unpretentious france,
were conspicuously displayed, and
rusty old cannon balls came in a. re-
minders of the bloody days that were.
These appeared upon and at the base
of tall and imposing oak tree near
the fouu tain, and above all doomed up
a 81 clock. The sergeant also recently
added 20 cent blank book register,
in which distinguished visitors were
invited to enter their names, and this
he suspended from the body of the
tree by means OF a string attached to a
nail. On the northeast sids OF the
fountain two or more prairie dogs
have been allowed to disp1rt them.
selves in their own sweet way. In &C
coIdance with the nature and habits
of the animals, they buuowed into
the earth several feet, bringing the
surplus dirt to the surface and
creating an unsightly heap.
His especial pete, however,
were the latest additions, two
uncouih specimens OF the alleged great
American eagle. On the point of
their identity the keeper was particu.
larly sensitive, and grew wrathy when
doubts were, expressed. On one occa-
sion two gentlemen strangers visited
the park and innocen,ly ing uired II
the strange looking birds were of the
buzzard tribe. The word "buzzsrd"
grated harshly on the ears of tie mos.
ter, and calling one of the ignorant
doub ers aside, whispered in mysteri-
GUS and confidential tones: "Once
upon a time two Englishmen entered
my domain and gave uttersnce to the
same indiscreet language of which You
are guilty. A muscular and brave
American overheard the Impeachment
and resented it by promptly sending
the bold invaders to earth. Beware!
It's a wise American that knows his
own famous bird of libertyp
But things have changed. Public
sentiment demanded the abolition of
the cheap and distiIuring collection. If
the serg, aut's fondness for ridiculous
truck was overpowering and he must
indulge 1t, some. other place besides
Court Square should be selected for it's
etorage. This state of feeling was made
known to the se'gesut through the
APPEAL Sunday and Monday morn
irgs and it wounded him. A conf
Dental friend was consulted, to
whom the sggrieved gentleman
characterized the information as
the mouthings of "a dsrned galoot."
People seemed to have no appreciation
of bis lsbors 10 "bsautfy and rem
der the Square attrac ive," however,
and the collection would be scattered.
The eagles were cent to Cincinnati
yesterday morning; the prairie dogs
will follow at an early day; the his.
toric rocks will go toward street paw
ing, aud the chromos-well, they have
d eappeared. One souvenir yet re.
mains-the cheap TING piece. With
1t the last veetige of backwoods attrac-
lions will have disappeared.
Sergt. Rogers ia cast down in spirit
over the revolution, but may be con-
soled with the Tt Election that he is re-
lieved from future Iidicule. His i'm
patience was evident from the method
he adopted to capture tie eagles.
Notwithstanding the strong wirg',
which enable the bird to eoar msjss-
ticslly into space when in their nor
NAL condition, have been mutiated
and deprived of power, yet the BIRDS
were fast of foot. To corner them
was difficult task, but the keeper
proved himself equal. He gave
chase with rskes and other imple-
ments, and room brought the beloved
objec.s of bis disappointment and cha
gin to bay.
With the efforts usually made by
the sergeant to make the square at
tractive turned in a different direc-
ton, and with financial aid from the
city, the naturally charming pace
,uld be made garden spot in point
of beauty, famous ia al tho country
round about. G.avelled walks, well
maintained; green and carefully Gull
tivated gross plots; trees trimmed with
view solely to picturssqueness; the
fountain always kept in an attractive
aud perfect state; the dingy and dis
figured iron benches replaced by seats
OF modern style; and, finally, tho park
to be heightened and refreshed by
artistic and closely cultivated beds Of
flowers. This is the order Of public
park progressive Memphis should
have, but which she can never secure
without revolution in the system